Hanuman Jayanti is an important festival of Hindus
(at Varanasi) and is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Hanuman.
Hanuman Jayanti falls on Chaitra Shukla Purnima (the March-April full
moon day). In Hinduism, Lord Hanuman is seen as the symbol of strength
and energy. Hanuman was a zealous devotee of Rama, and is worshipped for
his unwavering devotion to Lord Rama. Like all other Hindu Gods, Lord
Hanuman is also very popular among Hindus.
The Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated with great fanfare and feast at
Varanasi. The main Janmotsava or bithday celebration of Lord Hanuman is
held at Sankat Mochan Temple (Varanasi) for five days with cultural and
musical programmes by reputed artistes from all over India. The devotees
flock the Hanuman temples all over Varanasi and apply Sindhoor Tilak on
their foreheads from statues of Hanuman. Laddoos (sweets) are also
offered to Lord Hanuman and distributed among poor people and other
devotees.
